Marvel has officially kicked off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which premiered on February 17. It has excited fans by fully introducing Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror as a formidable threat in the MCU and by debuting the MCU’s version of M.O.D.O.K.
In the days leading up to the film’s release, viewers were shocked as the MCU seemingly hinted at the death of Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man (Paul Rudd). Historically, Lang hasn’t been portrayed as the type of character who might receive a big hero’s death at the end of his trilogy. Aside from the first two (rather light-hearted) Ant-Man films, he has largely been a background character in the MCU. He’s a funny, unlikely Avenger who managed to play a role in Thanos’ defeat. Ultimately, Lang’s arc as an improbable hero and relatable guy works well for the character. But Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania seems to be changing his direction in a major way.
Kang the Conqueror is an enormous threat, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quatumania is only just beginning to touch on his power. The MCU is pitting arguably one of the weakest Avengers against a Thanos-level threat—all by his lonesome. Plus, the goofy magician persona seems to have been (mostly) tossed to the wind. In the film, Lang displays grit and determination, unlike anything he’s shown before, invigorated by his love for his daughter. Did these noticeable changes result in the unlikely hero dying a hero’s death after all?
Spoilers for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ahead.
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Does Ant-Man die in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania?
Fans of Ant-Man will be relieved to find that Scott Lang does not die in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. There are definitely some close calls, though. As Kang the Conqueror and Ant-Man face off with one another, it’s clear that Ant-Man is a little out of his league facing Kang alone. Fortunately, he is rarely alone in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Hope (Evangeline Lilly), Hank (Michael Douglas), Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Cassie (Kathryn Newton) are always there when Ant-Man needs them. With their combined forces, they are more than enough to confront Kang.
In the end, Ant-Man’s family showed him that they have his back and have what it takes to be heroes, too. That’s largely because he inspired them in the first place. However, even though Scott survived and happily returned to his own world to make up for lost time with Cassie, the film hinted he isn’t totally out of the woods yet. He becomes struck by something Kang said, about how his defeat could unleash a greater evil. Ant-Man momentarily becomes concerned that he doomed Earth, but ultimately just decides to ignore it. He doesn’t seem to realize that he, specifically, could be in grave danger. But Defeating Kang may have put him on the radar of some variants seeking revenge.
Would the MCU actually kill Ant-Man?
Lang’s death would’ve been a very tragic way to end the Ant-Man series. However, there are two major reasons it might be in the MCU’s best interests to eventually kill Ant-Man. For one, it would further establish Kang as the major villain of Marvel’s next phase. While glimpses of his power were given in the film, taking down an Avenger would be an even better way for him to attract attention and get on the rest of the world’s radar. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was expected to set the stage for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. A very dramatic event may have been necessary to adequately lay that foundation.
Second, Ant-Man’s death would allow Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton) to follow in his footsteps as Stature. With its time jump, the MCU has been setting the stage to debut Lang’s Stature for a while now. In the comics, it is her father’s death that motivates Cassie to become Stature. If Lang dies at the hands of Kang, it would motivate the younger Lang to both become Stature and potentially join the Young Avengers (which the MCU also seems to be setting up) to fight the new mega-villain.
If it ever does happen, Ant-Man’s death would be unbearably tragic. He’d be leaving his daughter alone when he wants more than anything to time with her. But Marvel could capitalize on the potential of his death to be a catalyst for major events in the MCU’s Phase 5. Only time will tell what the MCU has in store for Lang.
(Featured image: Marvel Studios)
